|
This
region constitutes a strategic agricultural region,
producing inter alia the major portion of South
Africa’s maize crop. The 300 sq. km Vaal
Dam between the Free State and Gauteng is not
only the main source of water to South Africa’s
industrial heartland, it also is the inland water
mecca of South Africa, offering boundless opportunities
for all types of water sport. This and other vast
water surfaces in this area offers one the opportunity
to relax and revisit your plans for an unforgettable
holiday in South Africa before you hit the road
to anywhere in the rest of the country. Proximity
to Gauteng allows you to reach this area within
one hour from leaving Johannesburg International
Airport. Excellent accommodation facilities and
game farms, bush camp and camping sites for the
adventure junkies cater for a wide range of preferences
in order to accommodate all visitors' needs and
requirements.
In
the Northern Free State one can challenge the
white waters of the Vaal River in a raft or canoe,
or sail at a leisurely pace through the fertile,
willow tree-lined valley with the fish eagle's
cry of Africa ringing in your ears. Around the
Vaal Dam are four yacht clubs and various boat
chandlers, boat builders and repair yards, while
powerboat junkies regularly ply the waterways
of the Vaal, Wilge and Vals Rivers. Many of the
attractions of this region centre around the life
giving waters of the Vaal River with the Vaal
Dam near Deneysville and the Jim Fouché
Resort near Oranjeville being the major venues.
The Kroonpark Resort has an impressive indoor
pool and large festival grounds and is in the
centre of Kroonstad.
There
is more on offer to the outdoor enthusiast with
hiking routes that vary from easy to rugged mountain
rambles in the Vredefort Dome. Untouched San paintings
and ruins of settlements of people who lived in
the area during the iron age are to be seen on
these trails. The Vredefort Dome, being the third
largest meteorite site in the world, is worth
visiting although being 200km in diameter it is
difficult to visualise, except from the air. Rock
climbing and abseiling can also be arranged in
the Dome area. In the 19th century the area comprising
more or less the present Heilbron, Frankfort,
Petrus Steyn, Lindley and Reitz was known as the
Riemland, named after the countless game herds
which roamed the fertile velds – today the
scene of prosperous stock farming which includes
cattle, sheep, etc.
The
visitor will find the Northern Free State as home
to enchanting and sophisticated settings. Deneysville
is known as the Gateway to the Vaal Dam, while
with Frankfort on the banks of the Wilge River,
Parys and Villiers alongside the Vaal and the
city of Kroonstad straddling the glorious Vals
River, there are indeed holiday and weekend destinations
aplenty. If golf is your game, be sure not to
miss out on a round at Parys' Golf Island located
in the midst of the Vaal River.
Sasolburg
is one of South Africa’s outstanding examples
of foresight and successful planning and is today
not only one of South Africa’s major industrial
centres, but the Sasol Group of Companies is also
a business player of global stature. Sasolburg
as town is also leading as regards to environmental
awareness since statistics show there are more
trees and shrubs in the town than people. Having
won the Administrator’s Trophy for the Most
Beautiful Large Town in the Free State several
times, the time and effort which has gone into
the beautification and conservation of Sasolburg
is awe-inspiring!
Cities/Towns:
Deneysville, Edenville Frankfort, Heilbron, Koppies,
Kroonstad, Oranjeville, Prys, Sasolburg, Tweeling,
Viljoenskroon, Villiers, Vredefort.
 |
